subject: Billiards - Bowlliards rules and how to play the game [print this page] Billiards - Bowlliards rules and how to play the game
If you're a pool/billiard addict like myself or you're just looking to have fun with others or just looking for a fun pool game to play by yourself, you will very much enjoy the game of Bowlliards, also called 10-Ball, but not be confused with the 10-Ball in which you play the balls in rotation (basically the same as 9-Ball, but with one added ball). It's a great game for solitaire play because you can use it to measure your skill level and you are able to measure your improvement. First, you can review the rules below.
THE RACK
Standard rack position (front apex ball on foot spot), using 1-2-3-4 rack configuration.
OBJECT OF THE GAME
To score a perfect score of 300 points in 10 frames (innings) in solitary play. In competition, to score a higher point total in 10 innings than opponent(s).
SCORING
Each legally pocketed ball is scored as one point, regardless of ball number. The points scored as per the "Rules of Play" below are treated exactly as is the pinfall in bowling.
OPENING BREAK
At the start of a player's inning (frame), he has a free break (no special balls-to-cushion or other requirements once break stroke play commences, and a jumped or scratched cue ball is without penalty). Any balls pocketed on the break are spotted, and the player then follows his break by beginning scoring play with object balls in position and cue ball in hand behind the head string. (The opening break takes place at the start of every inning [frame].)
RULES OF PLAY
A legally pocketed ball entitles the shooter to continue at the table until he fails to pocket a called ball on a shot, or until he has scored the maximum total per inning possible (10). Player may shoot any ball he chooses, but before he shoots, must designate a single ball that he will pocket and the pocket into which the ball will score; he need not indicate kisses, caroms, combinations or cushions (none of which are illegal).
Player has two chances to pocket the 10 possible balls of each frame. If player legally pockets ten consecutive balls on his first chance of a frame, that frame is completed and player scores the frame exactly as a strike in bowling. If player fails to pocket 10 consecutive balls on his first chance, he takes his second chance immediately. If he succeeds in legally pocketing the remaining balls on the table, the frame is completed and player scores exactly as a spare in bowling. If player fails to legally pocket all ten balls in two chances, the frame is then completed and is scored as an open frame in bowling. All succeeding frames are likewise scored just as in bowling; a "strike" in the tenth inning earns two extra shots, a "spare" one extra shot.
If players tie for high game total in competition, additional innings are played alternately by the tied players, with the first player posting a superior score to that of his opponent(s) being the winner ("sudden death").
ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS
On the break, illegally pocketed balls are spotted prior to the player beginning his scoring play (first chance of frame). During scoring play, illegally pocketed balls are spotted.
JUMPED OBJECT BALLS
All spotted; no penalty.
CUE BALL AFTER JUMP OR SCRATCH
Only applies if occurring as player's first foul of a frame: player has cue ball in hand behind the head string to begin his second chance of the frame.
PENALTY FOR FOULS
No points are deducted (note that balls dropped on a foul stroke do not count and must be spotted). If the foul ends player's first chance of a frame, he has cue ball in hand behind the head string to begin his second chance of the frame. If the foul end's his second change (the one to pick up a spare) then his frame is finished.
RULE VARIATIONS
After the break, all balls stay down. No spotting of pocketed balls.
Play the cue ball from where it is on the table.
If you pocket the cue ball, you get ball in hand, anywhere on the table.
If you pocket any ball (other than the cue ball), your inning continues. Another wards, slop counts.
The break is probably the most important shot of the game. If you don't get a good spread of theballs on the break, the game becomes very challenging to break out any clusters of balls. If you are playing the variation of the rules that says you must play the cue ball where it lands, you will want to make sure that the cue ball lands near the center of the table. If the cue ball is near the center of the table, you will have the highest percentage chance of getting a decent shot on an object ball. An object ball is any of the balls on the table except the cue ball. This applies to many other pool games, including 8-ball and 9-ball. If you're looking for a great break cue, I recommend visiting http://www.zebrabilliards.com for a great selection of very affordable break cues.
After the opening break, walk the table and find any problem balls. By problem balls, I mean any balls that are either locked up and have no available pockets or are very limited on how many pockets are available for these balls to be pocketed. Another wards, if a ball only has one playable pocket because of other balls obstructing other pockets, this could be considered a problem ball. Look to see if there is a "key" ball that might be able to be pocketed and will give shape to this problem ball that only has one pocket. Other problems that should be considered are balls that are near or on any of the six cushions. When a ball is on the cushion, it only has two pockets available, unless there is another ball on the cushion blocking one of the pockets. When this happens it becomes a very big problem ball and should be addressed very soon in the game. After all problem balls are aware of, prepare to continue your inning.
The reason I say that the problem balls are addressed soon is because when you are in the early stage of the game, you have more opportunities to address this problem balls because there are more balls on the table. More balls on the table equal more "key" balls to address those problem balls and clusters.
Also, be aware of any "duck" balls. Duck balls can be your friend or foe. Duck balls are balls that are very near the pocket or even in the jaws of the pocket. Many times duck balls should be addressed and made earlyin the gamebecause they are blocking the pocket from other balls that can be made in the same pocket. If the duck balls are not an obstructing the pocket for another ball, you might want to leave this ball(s) for the end game or as an insurance ball in case you get out of shape at some point in the game.
If you are playing with no different variation of rules, and if you pocket the cue ball within your first inning, you must place the cue ball behind the head string and shoot forward. It would be disastrous to do this and have all the remaining balls behind the head string. If this is the case, address the balls located behind the head sting early on so that if you do pocket the cue ball, you will have available balls to shoot.
Remember, this game can be played in competition, but is morea game against yourself. Try to keep most shots simple and easy. Unlike other games, if you get out of shape, you are unable to play a safety shot. It's a 100% offensive game. Follow some of these simple steps and you'll play much better and will score higher. Remember to keep score and follow your progress to see if you are improving.
